Bioaccumulation describes a biological membrane’s ability to concentrate solutes from the surrounding environment and is often correlated with a solutes octanol/water partitioning coefficient (log P). Typically, solutes with log P values between 1 and 5 are thought to be strong candidates for bioaccumulation while still allowed to be used within environmental systems. The log P scale has a long historical legacy and although instructive, fails to describe <i>chemical</i> mechanisms responsible for bioaccumulation. Findings presented in this work employ both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence emission to quantify solute partitioning into lipid vesicle membranes as a function of solute structure and membrane composition.  Data illustrate the shortcomings of the log P description as Coumarin-based solutes having closely related structures show dramatically different partitioning behavior.  Furthermore, time-resolved fluorescence data imply that solutes experience different environments <i>within</i> the lipid bilayer, information that cannot be inferred from log P descriptions of solute partitioning.  These data are supported by complementary differential scanning calorimetry measurements that report on how different solute affinities for lipid bilayers change each bilayer’s gel-liquid crystalline transition temperature.  Together, these discoveries are providing a basis for developing a molecularly-based understanding of bioaccumulation.

Quantitative membrane partitioning studies of ecologically relevant synthetic organic molecules

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.